Fifty years ago, Topps (under the brand Bubbles Inc.) unleashed Mars Attacks and tried to convince us that aliens were trying to take over the world. While the Martians didn't succeed, the cards did cause a storm in school yards around the world. With their often gruesome pulp imagery, imaginative storyline and surrounding controversy, Mars Attacks became one of the most iconic trading card sets of all-time, even spawning a major Hollywood film back in 1996. The Martians are back to celebrate their golden anniversary in 2012 Topps Mars Attacks Heritage. The set reprints the original 55 cards on classic card stock.

New Universe cards are set within the new Mars Attacks comic from IDW. The cards are drawn by John McCrea, who also works on the comic. New Universe cards fall one per pack. Also inserted in every pack is one of ten 'Lost' Mars Attacks cards, which are based on unused Wally Wood concepts from when the 1962 set was originally made.

Additional inserts are led by the first official Mars Attacks sketch cards. Mars Attacks co-creator Len Brown has autographed ten foil-stamped copies of each base card. Collectors can also chase three colored parallels and 3D lenticular cards.

The online Topps shop also has a pair of exclusives: a variant retail box and a variant binder. You can get all details about both here.

Ryan Cracknell | E-Mail AuthorRyan is a former member of The Cardboard Connection Writing Staff.
His collecting origins began with winter bike rides to the corner store, tossing a couple of quarters onto the counter and peddling home with a couple packs of O-Pee-Chee hockey in his pocket. Today, he continues to build sets, go after inserts with cool technologies, chase Montreal Expos and finish off his John Jaha master collection.

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